Abstract: A level meter employs the radar concept for measuring the fill level of a medium in a container and incorporates an electric conductor system for conducting an electromagnetic signal into the container and returning reflected components of the electromagnetic signal from the container. Here, the electric conductor assembly is integrated into a wall of the container. The result is a universally employable electric conductor assembly so configured as to be unobstructed by built-in structures in the container such as agitators, intake pipe fittings or discharge connectors.

Abstract: In an antenna for a level meter employing the radar principle, a fastening device is provided for detachably mounting a dielectric insert in the antenna. The fastening device may be a continuous clamping collar that clamps the dielectric insert in place in the antenna. This offers a simple, universally employable possibility for fastening a dielectric insert in the antenna.

Abstract: A method for measuring the fill level of a medium in a container by applying the radar principle, whereby a measuring signal is generated and transmitted in the direction of the medium. A retroreflected portion of the measuring signal is captured and the fill level is determined as a function of the runtime of the measuring signal. The measuring signal is transmitted into multiple mutually different regions and the retroreflected portions of the measuring signal is received at multiple receiving points. In this fashion, it is possible to at least approximate the surface structure of the medium in the container.

Abstract: A frequency synthesizer, especially for use with a time-base generator of a fill-level meter employing the radar principle is designed to output a first frequency signal and a second frequency signal at mutually slightly different frequencies. The synthesizer incorporates a reference oscillator operating at a reference frequency and a control oscillator regulated at a control frequency. A first frequency divider with a division factor V1 is connected in line with the reference oscillator and a second frequency divider with the division factor V2 is connected in line with the control oscillator, which frequency dividers serve to output the first frequency signal and the second frequency signal, respectively. The result is a stable frequency synthesizer with a large phase-control bandwidth and consequently an extremely short transient response time as well as broad-band phase-noise suppression. A method for operating the synthesizer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A frequency synthesizer, especially for use with a time-base generator of a fill-level meter employing the radar principle is designed to output a first frequency signal and a second frequency signal at mutually slightly different frequencies. The synthesizer incorporates a reference oscillator operating at a reference frequency and a control oscillator regulated at a control frequency. A first frequency divider with a division factor V1 is connected in line with the reference oscillator and a second frequency divider with the division factor V2 is connected in line with the control oscillator, which frequency dividers serve to output the first frequency signal and the second frequency signal, respectively. The result is a stable frequency synthesizer with a large phase-control bandwidth and consequently an extremely short transient response time as well as broad-band phase-noise suppression. A method for operating the synthesizer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for measurement of the level of a medium in a container based on the radar principle in which a measurement signal is generated and emitted in the direction of the medium, the portion of the measurement signal which has been reflected back is detected and the level determined from the propagation time of the measurement signal. The portion of the measurement signal which has been reflected back is evaluated in a phase-sensitive manner in order to assign the respective level corresponding to the propagation time of the measurement signal to a specific direction of space. Thus, the level is determined even under difficult conditions, such as when structures or devices are present in the container or when loose bulk materials are present in loose bulk cones.

Abstract: A radar fill-level sensing device has a high-frequency unit that serves to generate and process radar signals of a predefined frequency and wavelength, an antenna for transmitting and/or receiving the radar signals, as well as circuitry, provided on a circuit board. That circuitry includes a microstrip circuit for connecting the high-frequency unit to the antenna, that microstrip circuit featuring a ground conductor. The ground conductor encompasses a first segment, a radial stub and a second segment, the length of the first segment corresponding essentially to one quarter of the predefined wavelength. The radial stub is positioned at the end of the first segment, the second segment connects to the end of the first segment and to the radial stub, and the second segment is grounded. Based on this design, a radar fill-level sensing device is obtained that can easily and reproducibly be implemented within the requirements of “intrinsically safe” ignition protection.

Abstract: A method for generating short electric pulses, comprising the steps of generating a control pulse, feeding the control pulse to a bipolar transistor, which subsequently emits an output signal with a steep switch-off side by exploiting the charge storage effect of the bipolar transistor, and differentiating the output signal with the steep switch-off side so that short primary pulses are generated. An electric pulse generator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sampling circuit for sequential sampling of a broadband periodic input signal having a field effect transistor as a nonlinear component to which a pulsed-shaped sampling signal is supplied, by which sampling is activated so that an output signal is produced. In this way, a sampling circuit is attained which is economical, technically durable and which can be used in a versatile and simple manner.

Abstract: A method for measuring the fill level of a medium in a container by applying the radar principle, whereby a measuring signal is generated and transmitted in the direction of the medium. A retroreflected portion of the measuring signal is captured and the fill level is determined as a function of the runtime of the measuring signal. The measuring signal is transmitted into multiple mutually different regions and the retroreflected portions of the measuring signal is received at multiple receiving points. In this fashion, it is possible to at least approximate the surface structure of the medium in the container.

Abstract: A variable frequency synthesizer comprising a sigma-delta modulator is provided. Such synthesizers provide an exact average frequency whereas the instantaneous frequencies varies. The sigma-delta modulator comprises a plurality of accumulator stages being connected in cascade. At least one input value of an accumulator (51, 52, 53, 54) being part of the sigma-delta modulator has a second component which is equal to an overflow signal (of1, of2, of3, of4) multiplied by a factor. This feedback reduces the-maximum fluctuation of the instantaneous frequencies. Phase jitter generated by non-linearities of the phase detector, the charge pump and the VCO is therefore reduced.

Abstract: A variable frequency synthesizer comprising a sigma-delta modulator is provided. Such synthesizers provide an exact average frequency whereas the instantaneous frequencies varies. The sigma-delta modulator comprises a plurality of accumulator stages being connected in cascade. At least one input value of an accumulator (51, 52, 53, 54) being part of the sigma-delta modulator has a second component which is equal to an overflow signal (of1, of2, of3, of4) multiplied by a factor. This feedback reduces the-maximum fluctuation of the instantaneous frequencies. Phase jitter generated by non-linearities of the phase detector, the charge pump and the VCO is therefore reduced.

Abstract: A frequency synthesizer, especially for use with a time-base generator of a fill-level meter employing the radar principle is designed to output a first frequency signal and a second frequency signal at mutually slightly different frequencies. The synthesizer incorporates a reference oscillator operating at a reference frequency and a control oscillator regulated at a control frequency. A first frequency divider with a division factor V1 is connected in line with the reference oscillator and a second frequency divider with the division factor V2 is connected in line with the control oscillator, which frequency dividers serve to output the first frequency signal and the second frequency signal, respectively The result is a stable frequency synthesizer with a large phase-control bandwidth and consequently an extremely short transient response time as well as broad-band phase-noise suppression. A method for operating the synthesizer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A frequency synthesizer, especially for use with a time-base generator of a fill-level meter employing the radar principle is designed to output a first frequency signal and a second frequency signal at mutually slightly different frequencies. The synthesizer incorporates a reference oscillator operating at a reference frequency and a control oscillator regulated at a control frequency. A first frequency divider with a division factor V1 is connected in line with the reference oscillator and a second frequency divider with the division factor V2 is connected in line with the control oscillator, which frequency dividers serve to output the first frequency signal and the second frequency signal, respectively The result is a stable frequency synthesizer with a large phase-control bandwidth and consequently an extremely short transient response time as well as broad-band phase-noise suppression. A method for operating the synthesizer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A radar fill-level sensing device has a high-frequency unit that serves to generate and process radar signals of a predefined frequency and wavelength, an antenna for transmitting and/or receiving the radar signals, as well as circuitry, provided on a circuit board. That circuitry includes a microstrip circuit for connecting the high-frequency unit to the antenna, that microstrip circuit featuring a ground conductor. The ground conductor encompasses a first segment, a radial stub and a second segment, the length of the first segment corresponding essentially to one quarter of the predefined wavelength. The radial stub is positioned at the end of the first segment, the second segment connects to the end of the first segment and to the radial stub, and the second segment is grounded. Based on this design, a radar fill-level sensing device is obtained that can easily and reproducibly be implemented within the requirements of “intrinsically safe” ignition protection.

Abstract: A method for generating short electric pulses, comprising the steps of generating a control pulse, feeding the control pulse to a bipolar transistor, which subsequently emits an output signal with a steep switch-off side by exploiting the charge storage effect of the bipolar transistor, and differentiating the output signal with the steep switch-off side so that short primary pulses are generated. An electric pulse generator is also disclosed.